The Echoes A Fort Holds

An art salon titled 'Ten Nights by a Lost River' explores the theme of power with the help of 18 theatrical installations placed/performed inside the majestic Kangra Fort in Himachal Pradesh

- Swati Subhedar

THE sun is melting into the horizon. A flock of white birds, on its way back home, flies past and disappears into the clouds that resemble fluffy cotton candies. As one starts to walk up the steps of the Kangra Fort—the oldest and largest fort in the Himalayas—the moon makes an appearance, overpowering the sun and the clouds. With sharad purnima approaching, the big, white ball shines brightly amid the faintly twinkling stars. From the top, one can see Kangra city, gradually retiring for the day. Atop, there is silence, interrupted frequently by hundreds of crickets and other night elements. The theatrical spotlights placed across the fort play hide and seek with the dense darkness. Three performers, dressed in shimmery gold outfits, appear from one of the corners of the fort and start walking towards the audience standing in the main courtyard. Their walk is slow and seductive. One of them whispers in your ear: “Are you the one?” What do the three performers signify—the power of mystery, surrealism, magic?

As they gradually walk away from the central stage, the music changes, and the setting resembles a queen’s durbar. The spotlight is on a figure, wearing a blue robe and a feathered crown. She walks down the staircase with great flair, over the top melodrama and seduction. An energetic bullfighting music plays in the background. She then quietly disappears. The act depicts the power of illusion—something that once existed and then ceased to exist.